Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system and cartridge therefor

ABSTRACT

A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, the water-conducting domestic appliance including a washing compartment for receiving items therein that are to be subjected to a handling process by the water-conducting domestic appliance; and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser with a receiving compartment, the receiving compartment for receiving at least one cartridge that is configured to hold at least one detergent. The detergent dosing system is formed from a plurality of housing walls and at least one portion of at least one housing wall of the detergent dosing system has thermal insulation.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional, under 35 U.S.C. §121, of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/311,093, filed Jan. 6, 2012, which is a U.S. national stage application under 35U.S.C. §371 of PCT/EP2007/058994 filed Aug. 29, 2007, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German Patent Application No. 10 2006 043 916.3 filed Sep. 19, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance.

The majority of water-conducting domestic appliances currently in use, such as domestic dishwashers, have an adding device for receiving one or more detergent(s) which are added to the washing water during the course of a washing cycle to clean the items for washing that are shelved in the dishwasher. All of the detergent held in the adding device is conventionally dispensed into the washing compartment during the washing cycle and mixed into the washing water circulated therein. In terms of its size, the adding device is dimensioned such that the precise quantity of detergents required for a washing cycle can be poured in. At the start of each washing cycle the user of the dishwasher is therefore required to pour into the adding device the quantity of detergent needed for the washing cycle. This operation is not convenient for the user of the dishwasher. Furthermore, with dishwashers of this kind there is the problem of the quantity of detergents poured into the adding device potentially varying from user to user and also from washing cycle to washing cycle. An incorrectly dosed quantity of detergent can lead to unsatisfactory wash results on the one hand—if an inadequate dose of detergents has been added, and lead to wasting of detergents, and environmental pollution therefore, on the other hand—if an excessive quantity of detergents has been added.

Moreover, adding devices, which add the quantity of detergents stored therein to the washing water in one go, do not allow more complex washing programs to be carried out. Thus for example in certain situations it may be expedient to add the detergent to the washing water at different times. Adding devices, which are designed to receive a single detergent dose, cannot support such complex washing cycles.

Holding a quantity of detergent which is larger than the quantity required for a washing cycle entails the problem of the portion of detergent not added to the washing water being exposed to high temperatures and high differences in temperature with each washing cycle. Stringent demands are therefore placed on the long-time stability of the detergent to maintain the desired cleaning effect.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention, a water-conducing domestic appliance such as a domestic dishwasher is provided that enables the long-time stability of a detergent held in a detergent dosing system. Additional embodiments of the invention provide corresponding auxiliary means, for instance, for detergent delivery to a washing chamber.

An embodiment of the invention may include a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser with a receiving compartment for receiving at least one cartridge, the cartridge being designed to hold at least one detergent. At least some sections of at least one housing wall of the detergent dosing system have thermal insulation between the receiving compartment and a washing chamber of the water-conducting domestic appliance, for instance a dishwasher. The detergent dosing system can be designed for multiple dispensing of at least one detergent in this case. In an embodiment, the detergent dosing system is designed to be arranged so as to adjoin the washing chamber/compartment. In this case “so as to adjoin a washing chamber/compartment” means that the detergent dosing system is securely integrated in a component of the dishwasher. The detergent dosing system can hold at least one detergent, for example liquid or gel-like detergents. The detergent can be a combination product comprising a plurality of detergent substances or individual detergent substances, such as temperature-sensitive enzymes. The stored quantity of each detergent is greater than the quantity required for a single washing cycle. The detergent dosing system provides substantially the precise quantity of detergent, in particular according to a program control unit for example, that is required for a single washing cycle. For this purpose the detergent dosing system can be connected to a program control unit of the dishwasher. The program control unit can also be connected to various sensors, it being possible to adapt washing programs, such as dosing and composition of detergents, in response to measured values acquired by the sensors.

In an embodiment of the invention, the long-time stability of the detergents held in the detergent dosing system is ensured by the above-noted thermal insulation. It is therefore possible for detergents to be used that include temperature-sensitive substances. The thermal insulation is directed toward the washing compartment of the dishwasher and thereby prevents or limits excessive variations in temperature in the detergents held in the detergent dosing system. This procedure is particularly advantageous if the held quantity of detergents is designed for a very large total number of washing cycles. The integral component of the dishwasher detergent dosing system according to the invention means the insulation can be adapted to the washing cycles that can be carried out by the dishwasher and the temperature profiles that occur in the process. In embodiments of the invention, particular areas of the detergent dosing system can be applied with different degrees of insulation to enable protection of various types of additives including detergents.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a housing wall is formed by a lid of the detergent dispenser. The lid can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and in particular can be pivoted. In an embodiment, only the lid needs to be provided with thermal insulation. A lid that is pivotably mounted on the detergent dispenser can be provided as a separate component and therefore be provided with thermal insulation independently of the remainder of the detergent dosing system, for example being made from a different material or in some other way, for instance, with a thermal barrier of gas or with a thermal barrier of insulating material.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the detergent dosing system may include at least one holding device for holding and fixing at least one cartridge in position. At least one detergent can be held in a cartridge. The provision of the thermal insulation in a housing wall of the detergent dispenser allows inexpensive housing materials to be used for a cartridge in which no particular precautions need to be provided with respect to limiting a flow of heat in the direction of the detergent.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a holding device is preferably formed by at least one receiver on the lid of a detergent dispenser. This facilitates insertion and replacement of an empty cartridge and also gives the cartridge a defined seat, limiting the risk of the detergent dosing system malfunctioning.

According to an embodiment, the receiver on the lid has may include at least two L-shaped holding clips, with first sections of the holding clips extending away from a main surface of the lid approximately perpendicularly and with ends of the first sections facing away from the main surface, with two sections running approximately perpendicularly to the first sections and whose ends that face away from the first sections, face each other.

According to a further embodiment, the detergent dispenser may include a positioning device for at least one cartridge that forces the cartridge to take a predefined seat in the detergent dosing system if the at least one cartridge is arranged in the receiving compartment. The cartridge positioning device ensures that the detergent being added is intended under all circumstances.

The thermal insulation in the section of the detergent dosing system directed toward the washing compartment of the dishwasher can be formed by a volume of gas arranged in the section. Production is possible by way of the gas internal pressure (GIP) process known from the prior art in which a gas pocket is enclosed in the section produced from an injectable material, for example plastics material. The thermal insulation can also be formed by an insulator material arranged in the section. This insulator material can be present in addition to the housing component material. The housing component can also be formed by the insulator material. Combinations of said materials are also possible.

It can be provided that the detergent dosing system has at least one outlet operatively connected to the washing compartment and via which a fixed quantity of detergent can be supplied to the washing water during a washing cycle. The at least one outlet can be provided on the detergent dispenser. However it is also conceivable for the at least one outlet to be arranged on the cartridge.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one outlet is provided on a housing section of the detergent dispenser which is disposed below the receiving compartment in the direction of gravity. A number of outlets may be provided in this case which matches the number of detergents held in the cartridge or the number of cartridge chambers.

According to a further embodiment a number of dosing chambers is provided that matches the number of outlets. The at least one outlet of the detergent dosing system ends in one of the dosing chambers which is operatively connected to the detergent.

The detergent dosing system can comprise a conveying device with which the detergent can be supplied from the cartridge to the washing compartment. It is expedient in this connection if the conveying device is arranged in the dosing chamber.

In one variant the at least one detergent can be dosed by a pump. In a further variant the at least one detergent is dispensed via gravity and dosing takes place by fixing an emptying time in which the at least one detergent can be transferred from the cartridge for further processing by opening an openable closure. In this variant the openable closure is arranged at the bottom in the direction of gravity when the cartridge is fitted in the detergent dosing system.

According to a further embodiment the detergent dosing system has at least one additional chamber for a solid detergent. The provision of an additional chamber for a solid detergent has the advantage that operation of the dishwasher can even be ensured when the cartridge no longer contains detergent and the user does not have any more filled cartridges available.

According to one variant the detergent dosing system is arranged in a side wall of the washing compartment, between a top rack and a bottom rack of the dishwasher. Alternatively the detergent dosing system can be arranged on a door of the dishwasher designed so as to pivot with respect to the washing compartment. The detergent dosing system is an integral component of the dishwasher in this case. In this variant the construction on the door is also such that, when the door is open, the detergent dispenser is fitted with the cartridge from the end face of the door. The cartridge can be fitted in the region of a door cover or an inner door of the dishwasher door in this case.

The invention may also include a cartridge designed for use in a dishwasher comprising a detergent dosing system. The cartridge may include a housing for receiving at least one detergent, the held quantity of detergents being greater than the quantity required for a washing cycle. The housing can have side walls and a base and top. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cartridge may include thermal insulation that limits a flow of heat from the washing compartment of a dishwasher in the direction of the detergent dosing system. The cartridge according to the invention has the same advantages as have been described above in connection with the detergent dosing system.

The thermal insulation can be formed by a volume of gas arranged in the section, produced for example using the above-described gas internal pressure process, or by an insulating material arranged in the section. This can be present in addition to the cartridge housing material. The housing section of the cartridge can also be formed by the insulator material itself.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the cartridge contains at least one detergent. The detergent may be arranged in a plurality of cartridge chambers. Holding different detergents in different chambers has the advantage that in a certain stage of a washing cycle only the detergent that is actually necessary for this washing stage needs to be added. Of course it is also possible for a plurality of detergents to be added simultaneously during a certain stage of a washing cycle. If two different detergents are added to the washing water at basically the same time during a washing cycle, it is also possible to arrange these detergents in a common chamber of the cartridge.

According to a further embodiment the volume of at least one detergent is such that a total of between 20 and 40, preferably 30, washing cycles can be carried out. The volumes of the individual detergents are preferably such that with the last washing cycle all of the detergents held in the cartridge are used up.

A further embodiment provides that the cartridge comprises at least one conveying device with which detergent can be conveyed into the washing compartment of a dishwasher. The result of this procedure is that the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system according to the invention can have a particularly simple construction. According to this embodiment the devices required to dose the detergents held in the cartridge into the washing compartment are held exclusively in the cartridge. In this connection it may be provided that a number of conveying devices that matches the number of detergents or chambers is provided.

To prevent incorrect insertion of the cartridge in the detergent dispenser the cartridge housing may include mechanical coding that is formed, for example, by projections or guides. The coding is configured in such a way that the cartridge may only be inserted in a certain way—the intended way—into the detergent dispenser.

The cartridge can have any suitable shape. However it is preferably provided that the cartridge housing has a longitudinal extension along a main axis. This can for example be a right parallelepiped basic body with a longitudinal axis, for example along the width, which is substantially longer than all other axes (along the depth and height). However it can also be a conical, truncated cone-shaped, cylindrical, pyramidal or truncated pyramid-shaped basic body with a main axis.

It is preferable for the main axis to be longer than minor axes of the housing with one of the above-mentioned basic shapes of the cartridge, for example by a factor of at least 1.5. The basic body can also preferably have an extension along a first minor axis, for example along the height, and an extension along a second minor axis, for example along the depth, the extension along the first minor axis being substantially longer than the extension along the second minor axis, for example by a factor of 5 to 10, preferably 5. Particularly good handling of the cartridge and an expedient volume of the respective detergents result if the cartridge housing has a right parallelepiped basic shape with a depth of about 25 mm, a width of about 200 mm and a height of about 125 mm In particular the preferred total number z of washing cycles of between 20 and 40, preferably 30, washing cycles may be achieved with these dimensions.

In an embodiment of the invention, the chambers of the cartridge are arranged side by side along the main axis. In other words, with a cartridge with a right parallelepiped basic shape and main axis extending in the direction of the width, the division into chambers leads to chamber dimensions in which the dimension of a chamber is a fraction of the width that matches the number of chambers while all chambers have the same depth and height.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cartridge may be provided with an openable closure that can be opened, in particular automatically, when the cartridge is inserted in the detergent dosing system and can be closed, in particular automatically, when the cartridge is removed from the detergent dosing system. The openable closure may, for example, be formed by a membrane, film or an elastomer. During storage and transportation the closure serves to prevent the detergent held in the cartridge from unintentionally running out. The closure is opened at the instant at which the cartridge is inserted in the detergent dispenser of the detergent dosing system, so during further operation of the dishwasher it is possible to add the detergent to the washing water. The number of closures can vary according to the construction of the cartridge. Expediently a number of closures is provided that matches the number of cartridge chambers; the number of closures can also match the number of detergents in the cartridge. The openable closure can for example be arranged at the bottom in the direction of gravity, i.e. on the base of the cartridge when the cartridge is fitted in the detergent dosing system. This facilitates complete emptying of the cartridge by the conveying device, so no detergent remains unused in the cartridge.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, when the cartridge is inserted in the detergent dosing system the openable closure is arranged so as to correspond with a cannula, so the closure is penetrated by it. The cannula is fixed in the detergent dispenser and establishes a connection to a dosing chamber.

It is preferably provided that at least one of the chambers has at least one of the following ingredients: alkali carriers, for example alkaline solution, complexing agents, and dispersants; for example polymers; enzymes such as amylase, protease or lipase; bleaching agents, for example hydrogen peroxide; bleaching activators, and surfactants, such as non-ionic surfactants. The chambers can also hold a biocidal liquid. In particular they can hold biocides against bacteria (bactericides), against fungi (fungicides), against microorganisms (microbicides), against viruses (virucides) and against algae (algicides), of which the addition prevents unpleasant smells from forming by for example biofilm formation during relatively long service lives.

A detergent dosing system also forms part of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher according to the invention comprising a detergent dosing system which is arranged in a receptacle wall,

FIG. 2 shows a further dishwasher according to the invention comprising a detergent dosing system which is arranged in the dishwasher door,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a detergent dosing system according to the invention for arrangement in a receptacle wall of the dishwasher,

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the detergent dosing system shown in FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows a section through a detergent dosing system arranged in the dishwasher door,

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge for use in a detergent dosing system according to the invention, and

FIG. 7 shows a section through a detergent dosing system according to the invention, a conveying device arranged in a dosing chamber being shown with which detergent can be supplied from the cartridge to the washing compartment of the dishwasher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher 1 according to the invention comprising a door 3 pivotably mounted on a housing 2. The figure shows the door 3 in its open position. Crockery racks 5, 6 are arranged in a known manner in a washing compartment 4 that can be closed by the door 3. A detergent dosing system 10, comprising a detergent dispenser 11 and a cartridge 50, which contains at least two detergents that are held separately from each other, is arranged in a receptacle wall 7 of the housing 2. FIG. 1 shows the preferred arrangement of the detergent dosing system 10 between the top rack 5 and the bottom rack 6. The detergent dispenser 11 that receives the cartridge 50 is arranged in a section of the receptacle wall 7 that is located close to the door opening in order to facilitate introduction and removal of the cartridge 50 into or from the detergent dispenser 11 for the user.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a plan view and a cross-section through the detergent dosing system 10, as is used in the dishwasher according to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the detergent dispenser 11 arranged in the receptacle wall. This comprises a housing 12 and a lid 14 mounted so as to pivot with respect to the housing 12. If, as shown in FIG. 4, the lid 14 is in its open position the cartridge 50 can be inserted from the washing compartment 4 into a position that holds cartridge 50 against the lid 14, whereby the lid 14 can then pivotally close to incorporate cartridge 50 into housing 12. For holding and fixing cartridge 50, the lid 14 has a holding device, for example, two symmetrically arranged holding clips 17 which have an L-shape and are adapted to the size of the cartridge 50, so that, following insertion, the holding clips 17 surround the cartridge 50 so as to hold it. A supporting surface 30 is also formed on the lid 14 so that the cartridge 50 comes to rest in a defined position. Closing the lid 14 inserts the cartridge in a receiving space 15 of the detergent dispenser 11 and it is pressed into its final position by optionally present lugs and/or projections on the detergent dispenser housing.

As may easily be seen from the cross-section of FIG. 4, the external periphery of the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11 has a bend. The bend serves to receive a seal 32 which is inserted between the bend and the receptacle wall 7. This prevents water or moisture from penetrating in the direction of the back of the receptacle wall 7.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 50. The cartridge 50 has, merely by way of example, five chambers 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, 51 d and 51 e for receiving one detergent or a detergent mixture respectively. The size of the individual chambers 51 a to 51 e is preferably dimensioned so as to match the volume required during a predefined number of washing cycles. The volume of the various detergents in chambers 51 a to 51 e is preferably dimensioned such that after a specific number of washing cycles, preferably between 20 and 40, more preferably about 30, all of the chambers 51 a to 51 e are completely emptied. Each of the chambers 51 a to 51 e is provided with an openable closure 25 a to 25 e in the form of a membrane. The membrane, made for example from a rubber, closes the individual chambers 51 a to 51 e so as to seal them, so during storage and transportation of the cartridge 50 no detergent can escape from it. During insertion of the cartridge 50 in the detergent dispenser 11 the membranes are pierced by cannulas 21 (cf. FIG. 4) correspondingly arranged in the detergent dispenser 11, so detergent can be added to the washing compartment according to an appropriate dosing mechanism.

The cartridge is preferably made from a plastics material and has a width B of about 200 mm, a height H of about 125 mm, and a depth of about 25 mm. With these sizes the volume of the various chambers may be dimensioned such that the desired 20 to 40 washing cycles can be carried out by means of one cartridge.

In addition to the chambers 51 a to 51 e the cartridge 50 has an additional chamber 52 which is connected to one or more ventilation duct(s) 53. The ventilation duct(s) in turn have a connection to the various chambers 51 a to 51 e. This ensures that as the chambers 51 a to 51 e increasingly empty, a vacuum cannot build up in them, making it difficult to add detergent or adulterate it. The ventilation ducts 53 are preferably located in a lid 54 which is provided on the cartridge housing following filling of the individual chambers 51 a to 51 e with the respective detergents. The lid 54 can have a pressure relief valve 55 which is optionally required in the case of certain detergent components.

As the detergent contained in the cartridge 50 is only added gradually to the washing compartment within the framework of a plurality of washing cycles, more precisely to the washing water circulated in the washing compartment, they are exposed to significant absolute temperatures and variations in temperature with every washing cycle. To prevent the properties of the detergent from changing over time as a result of this, at least one housing wall of the cartridge 50 directed toward the washing compartment and/or the lid 14 of the detergent dosing system 10 directed toward the washing compartment is made from an insulating material or surrounded by an insulation 33. A flow of heat from the washing compartment in the direction of the detergent dosing system or the detergents held in the cartridge is limited hereby, ensuring the long-time stability of the detergents used. The insulation 33 can be formed by a volume of gas arranged in the lid or the relevant housing section of the cartridge. This volume of gas that generates the insulation can be introduced during manufacture of the lid or cartridge. The method used in this connection is known as the gas internal pressure process (GIP).

Reference will again be made in the description below to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition to the receiver for the cartridge the detergent dispenser 11 has an additional chamber 27 for receiving a solid detergent. The solid detergent can for example be a 3-in-1 tab which is placed in the additional chamber 27 if there is no cartridge 50 or an empty cartridge 50 in the receiving compartment 15. The provision of an additional chamber 27 for receiving a solid detergent allows the dishwasher to be used even if the cartridge 50 is empty and no filled cartridge is available.

The detergent dosing system can have means for scanning the level of detergent in the cartridge to detect an empty or nearly empty cartridge. If the detergent in one or more chamber(s) of the cartridge reaches a predefined level, for example if a predefined number of washing cycles is still possible, then this can be shown to the user by way of an optical signal. The display mechanism can be located on the outside of the door, for example the cover, in a known manner.

The level can be scanned optically, capacitively or acoustically. With optical scanning an optical fiber could be inserted in the cartridge which scans the level via a light source present in the detergent dispenser. With capacitive scanning the detergent in the cartridge can be used as a dielectric. Acoustic coupling can take place by using the piezo ultrasound principle. Alternatively a counter for counting the washing cycles of a full cartridge that have already been run through can be used. To detect a new cartridge it can be provided with a transponder that can be read by the dishwasher or the detergent dispenser. Alternatively a different code, for example a bar code, can be provided on the cartridge. The code can be read as the cartridge is inserted in the detergent dispenser.

The additional chamber 27, as may be seen from FIG. 4, has an opening 31 which is connected to the dishwasher surroundings. For this purpose the opening 31 can be connected to the surroundings via channels (not shown in the figures) which run on the back of the receptacle wall 7. The detergent dosing system thereby integrates the functionality of what is known as an “expansion opening”, which is used for disposing of the overpressure produced in the washing compartment if the dishwasher is opened and closed again by the user, for example during a washing cycle with washing water that has already been heated. The overpressure produced in this instant can then be dissipated to the surroundings via the additional chamber 27 and the opening 31.

Outlets 19 a to 19 e are also provided in the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11. The outlets 19 a to 19 e each end in a dosing chamber 20 a to 20 e, only dosing chamber 20 a being visible in the cross-section in FIG. 7. The dosing chamber 20 a is connected via the cannulas 21 a to chamber 51 a of the cartridge.

Arranged in each of the dosing chambers 20 a to 20 e is a conveying device which in the present exemplary embodiment comprises a seal 26 a, mounted so it can move in the dosing chamber 20 a, and a driving mechanism for the seal 26 a. The seal 26 a is shaped in such a way that it can be moved between a position closing the associated outlet (for example, as shown in FIG. 7 as element 19 a) and the position unblocking the outlet. For this purpose the seal 26 a is connected to a valve lifter 22 a actively connected to a valve actuation lever 23 a. When the valve actuation lever 23 a is operated the seal 26 a is moved away from the outlet 19 a. If the valve actuation lever 23 a is moved back to its original position, a restoring force is built up by a spring 24 a, tensioned between a housing cover 37 and an abutment 35 a provided on the valve lifter 22 a, which positions the seal 26 a intimately on the outlet 19 a.

If the seal 26 a is in its open position, the detergent in the chamber 51 a can pass through the cannula 21 a into the dosing chamber 20 and via the outlet 19 a into the washing compartment as a result of gravity or an active conveying device, such as a pump for example.

In this case the detergent can be conveyed either solely by using gravity or the conveying device, in particular the design of the seal, can also be constructed according to the pump principle, so detergents are conveyed by a corresponding vacuum from the detergent chamber 21 a into the dosing chamber 20 a and by a corresponding overpressure from the dosing chamber 20 a into the washing compartment.

FIG. 2 shows a further dishwasher 1 with a detergent dosing system 10 according to the invention. In contrast to the previously described exemplary embodiment the detergent dosing system 10, more precisely the detergent dispenser 11, is arranged in the dishwasher door 3. The detergent dispenser 11 is fitted with the cartridge 50, which, moreover, can be constructed so as to be identical to that described in connection with FIG. 6, from the end face 8 of the door. The opening for fitting the detergent dispenser 11 can be arranged in the region of a dishwasher cover or the inner door of the door. The advantage of the arrangement according to FIG. 2 lies in more convenient insertion and removal of the cartridge for the user.

The cross-section of FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the detergent dosing system 10 in more detail. A section through the door 3 of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 2 is shown. The detergent dispenser 11 is arranged between a cover 34 and an inner door 28. In a known manner the cover 34 adjoins the outer door 29 that is visible to the user from the outside. In the region of its end face the detergent dispenser 11 has a lid 14 which is pivotably mounted on the housing 12 of the detergent dispenser 11. The lid 14 has two latching hooks of which the one which is located closer to the pivot axis engages in a projection formed on the cartridge 50. When the lid is pivoted this brings about slight lifting of the cartridge 50 for easier removal for the user. The latching hook located further away from the pivot axis is used to lock the lid 14 to the housing 12.

When the lid 14 is closed and the cartridge 50 inserted, the cartridge is pressed downwards by the lid and the relative movement of the latching hook and projection on the cartridge 50, so the cannulas provided in the detergent dispenser 11 pierce the membranes 25 a to 25 e correspondingly arranged in the cartridge 50. As has been described by way of example in connection with FIG. 7, a respective dosing chamber is arranged below the cannula 21 and is connected to the washing compartment by corresponding outlets 19 a to 19 e.

The housing wall of the detergent dispenser identified by reference numeral 13 and/or the housing wall of the cartridge 50 adjoining this wall, are equipped with insulation, as described above, to limit a flow of heat from the washing compartment in the direction of the detergent dosing system or the detergent in the cartridge.

The present invention produces a dishwasher which facilitates handling for its user and, at the same time, ensures, independently of the quantity of detergents held in the detergent dosing system, long-time stability of the detergents so the desired cleaning effect is properly achieved. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for a water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser with a receiving compartment, the receiving compartment for receiving at least one cartridge that is configured to hold at least one detergent, the detergent dosing system being formed from a plurality of housing walls and with at least one portion of at least one housing wall of the detergent dosing system having thermal insulation.
 2. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the thermal insulation is formed by a volume of gas arranged between the receiving compartment and a wash compartment of the water-conducting domestic appliance.
 3. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the thermal insulation is formed by an insulating material arranged between the receiving compartment and a wash compartment of the water-conducting domestic appliance.
 4. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge contains at least one detergent.
 5. The cartridge according to claim 4 comprising a volumetric space for the at least one detergent equating to a volume of detergent of between about 20 and about 40, and preferably about 30, washing cycles.
 6. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge has at least one conveying device.
 7. The cartridge according to claim 6 wherein the at least one conveying device is a plurality of conveying devices that are substantially equal in quantity to a quantity of detergents provided.
 8. The cartridge according to claim 1 comprising a mechanical coding that defines a fitting position in the water-conducting domestic appliance.
 9. The cartridge according to claim 1 wherein the cartridge is configured in a longitudinal direction along a main axis representing a length of the cartridge that is longer than either of a length of an axis representing depth and a length of an axis representing height.
 10. The cartridge according to claim 9 wherein the length of the cartridge is substantially longer than either of the length of the axis representing depth and the length of the axis representing height, by a factor of at least 1.5 to
 1. 11. The cartridge according to claim 9 comprising chambers for at least each of a plurality of detergents of the at least one detergent that are arranged side by side along the main axis.
 12. The cartridge according to claim 11 wherein the cartridge is provided with at least one openable closure that opens when the cartridge is inserted into the detergent dosing system and that closes when the cartridge is removed from the detergent dosing system.
 13. The cartridge according to claim 12 wherein the at least one openable closure is formed by at least one of a membrane, a film and an elastomer.
 14. The cartridge according to claim 12 wherein a quantity of the at least one openable closure is substantially equal to a quantity of the chambers.
 15. The cartridge according to claim 12 wherein the at least one openable closure is opened by penetration with a cannula when the cartridge is inserted in the detergent dosing system.
 16. The cartridge according to claim 15 wherein the cannula establishes a connection to a dosing chamber.
 17. The cartridge according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the chambers includes at least one of the ingredients selected from the group consisting of: enzymes, bleaching agents, bleach activators, dispersants, complexing agents, surfactants, alkali carriers, and biocides.
 18. A detergent dosing system comprising a detergent dispenser with a receiving compartment, the receiving compartment for receiving at least one cartridge that is configured to hold at least one detergent, the detergent dosing system being formed from a plurality of housing walls with at least one portion of at least one housing wall of the detergent dosing system having thermal insulation.
 19. A water-conducting domestic appliance comprising: a washing compartment; and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system including: a receiving compartment configured to accept a detergent dispensing cartridge; and a chamber separate from the receiving compartment configured to accept a solid detergent, the chamber including an opening that is in gaseous connection with both the washing compartment and the external surroundings of the water-conducting appliance; wherein, the opening is configured to operate as an expansion opening that disposes of overpressure produced in the washing compartment.
 20. A water-conducting domestic appliance with a detergent dispensing cartridge comprising: a pressure relief valve; at least one detergent chamber; and a non-detergent chamber; wherein the non-detergent chamber is in gaseous connection with each of the at least one detergent chamber and the pressure relief valve, and is configured to both: prevent a vacuum from forming in the at least one detergent chamber as detergent is dispensed from the at least one chamber; and relieve pressure from the at least one detergent chamber and the detergent dispensing cartridge caused by a detergent component within the at least one detergent chamber. 